DRONE Platform Visual Conceptualization - Before deciding on redesigning the hive, several other directions were explored.
This system represents a worse-case scenario, if pollinator populations did crash, how would humanity deal with it so that they could maintain agricultural production?
If pollinators die, our environment will lose the ability to heal itself - Pollinators play a key role in the reproduction of plants. Some plants can self-fertilize, however this method does not allow for genetic diversity and adaptation. If pollinators died out, our environment would quickly lose its ability to heal.
The cost of inaction - Pollinators support 2/3 of the food we eat. The wold is already suffering from a food shortage, if pollinator populations crashed, we would quickly see widespread loss of crop productivity and starvation.
Honeybee seasonal systems chart - There are many complex systems within the hive box. The bees work hard to maintain a state of homeostasis by heating, cooling, managing humidity, and moving air through the hive.
Summer- Thermal Chimney Hive Concept - Modeled after a termite nest, this shape creates an upward draft of warm air, moving moisture and excess heat out of the hive.
Winter- Thermal Chimney Hive concept - During the winter the hive would be resilient to strong winds, and the rounded shape reduces 'cool corners' of the traditional hive box.
Buried Hive Concept - This design utilizes the heat and thermal mass created by being in contact with a pile of compost. The pile would also create a streamline barrier against prevailing winds.
Apex Hive System - The APEX Hive System is a Langstroth-compatible hive that utilizes material property-based solutions to stabilize the hive micro-climate. The design also takes into account usability and efficiency needs of the apiarists using the hive.
Colour Ways - The APEX Hive System is suitable for both professionals, and hobbyists. To create visual interest, and aid honeybees in navigation, several colours could be offered.
Initial Prototype - This is the first version of the hive concept. It included many extra features that did not make it to the final design. Many features were attractive but would not work in 'real life' or would increase price too much. An intense research process was needed to properly work out which features were essential.
Ultraviolet markings - The markings are created with ultraviolet paint and reflect more light into the blue end of the spectrum. Bees are red blind and extra sensitive to the blue end of the spectrum. Flower petals often have markings on them to direct honeybees to the nectar source. These markings are often invisible to the human eye.
Model hive components - The super on this design splits into two parts which splits the weight and makes it easier to carry.
Component Breakdown - The drawer feature was for easy inspection of the brood comb. Unfortunately bees gum up any moving parts with propolis so this feature was abandoned.
Initial sketch model - The initial design direction included rails that held 4 flat wall sections together. This was meant to improve storage efficiency. Upon interviewing end users however, it was found that most boxes are used to store frames. In the end, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.
refinements - Bee frames contain a pre-stamped hexagonal pattern that the bees turn into comb to raise larvae in. The issue with this is it is an unnatural size an configuration for bees to reproduce. The more natural version known as a 'top bar' allows the bees to build their own comb structure. The disadvantage of this is the comb produced is destroyed when the honey is extracted. Since wax takes 7 parts honey to produce 1 part wax, it is essential for beekeepers to be able to reuse comb.
full sketch model - (continued from last slide)
To utilize advantages of both kinds of comb, several frames in the brood chamber (reproduction area) will use top bars, while comb in the honey super (where honey is stored and the apiarist gets his honey) will retain the original Langstroth frames.
Final Model Process - The final hive will be rotationally molded, creating a hollow shell. The inside of this shell will be filled with expanding spray insulation, which will grant it a much better R value than wood.
Wall system breakdown - By augmenting natural processes within the hive we can eliminate reliance on chemical treatments. As it stands now honeybees are in a fragile state. Apiarists are forced to adopt chemical treatments to keep their bees alive.
There are two main prioblems with this:
Chemicals cost money
and
Relying on chemical treatments suppresses the immune system, and reduces the likeliness of the bees naturally adapting to the new threats through natural selection.
clamp up - Creation of the final model.
Final Process 2 - In existing hives, entrance reducers must be added before winter. These reducers cut down the amount of air blowing into the hive. The APEX Hive has an outer lip attachment that is reversible, keeping the entrance reducer on the hive year-round and eliminating the need to store extra components.
The Brood Chamber - The brood chamber is the most important part of the hive. It is where the queen lives and reproduces.
Bondo Job! - Thanks to Merlinworks (creator of the Mooses in the City project).
Final Hive model with super - The super on the final model will not break into two pieces. Further development is needed to work out the usability and dependability issues.
Final Hive Model - better pictures to come..
Inside the hive - Still waiting to build super frames.. The colours are supposed to correspond with the seasons. The reducer and super are seasonal, the base, lid and brood chamber are permanent.
Winterized Hive - Note the upturned entrance reducer
Inisde the hive 2 - removable bottom board wipes clean for easy sanitary upkeep. The grooves in the surface also act as channels for the water to pool and go through (The bottom board is water-permeable, to allow run off from the humidity panels (yellow panels inset into wall) to go through..
again.. winterized! - The final hives will be available in a variety of colours to make navigation easier for bees... and people!
Promotional Poster - product poster showing visual comparison to old hive design.
Professional-level Hive Design - Showing the humidity wicking panels on the side of the inner wall
Bees! - the money shot.. live bees in the hive
End Users - interesting design process when the end users cannot provide direct feedback.
One more... - Save time and money with the APEX Hive System
beekeeper - cropped shot for display picture
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APEX Hive System
Information on this project can be found at
http://unorthodoxdesign.carbonmade.com/
Available
Freelance, Full-time, Moonlighting
Mike Cameron
Movie Prop design/Fabrication, Digital Manufacturing, Industrial Design
Toronto, ON